Both these wipers have robust supportive frames and pre-installed arm connections which make them durable and user-friendly. However, these wipers suit different types of windshields due to different designs.
Lets take a quick look at both wipers:
- Weatherbeater specifies a conventional wiper while Latitude is a beam-style wiping blade.
- Both wipers have pre-installed adaptors, providing easy wiper connections.
- Both products come with an equal warranty from the manufacturer.
Weatherbeater:
- Suits for conventional windshield screens that are not curved at the margins.
- Costs a lower price in comparison.
Latitude:
- possesses an aerodynamic spoiler, delivering consistent pressure and better blade-to-glass contact.
- shows higher wiping efficiency due to synthetic rubber and graphite enhancements.
- is flexible and adjusts the shape according to the windshield curvature.
present better damage resistance than the competitor, so is more durable.
Rain X Weatherbeater presents a classic windshield wiper look showing a hinged metallic structure and a rubber concealed wiping blade. Galvanized steel alloy makes it corrosion-resistive and more durable than other traditional blades. Plus, it provides the financial benefit of a lower price.
On the other side, Rain X Latitude shows a curved beam design and presents greater wiping efficiency. Its aerodynamic spoiler keeps it connected with the screen even in heavy wind storms.
The flexible design makes it the right fit for a modern windshield screen having a curved surface.
As compared to Rain X Weatherbeater, Latitude specifies an efficient design, an enhanced rubber compound, relatively better wiping ability, complete screen coverage, withstands extreme temperatures more efficiently, and lasts for a relatively long time.
Table of Contents
Side By Side Comparison:
Rain X Latitude | Rain X Weatherbeater | |
Available blade sizes | 10-inch to 28-inch | 10-inch to 28-inch |
Blade type | Beam | Conventional |
Blade Material | Rubber concealed steel bar | Steel bar concealed with Rubber |
Warranty | 90 days replacement | 90 days replacement |
How much do they differ in their Design?
Rain X Weatherbeater shows a conventional wiper blade design with a rigid and linear squeegee made of natural rubber.
Its supportive frame is also traditionally built, specifying a jointed metallic structure.
These design features and material composition render its position below the competitor as it possesses inconsistent pressure along the blade and has decreased wiping abilities.
Conversely, Rain X Latitude is a beam wiper characterizing a curved, flexible, and aerodynamic design.
Plus, its wiping edge is made of synthetic rubber and is also supplied with graphite coatings.
Resultantly, this wiper presents better wiping efficiency and higher water removing ability.
Latitude | Weatherbeater | |
Composition | High-strength steel Synthetic rubber with Graphite coatings | Galvanized steel Natural Rubber |
Frame | Aerodynamic spoiler | Multi-hinged metallic frame |
Additives | Graphite coating | None |
Rubber composition
Weatherbeater blades are molded from a natural rubber compound which provides reliable visibility yet its whipping efficiency is comparatively minor.
Plus, it does not have any additives to enhance the water repellency which renders its position below the competitor.
In contrast, the whipping edge of Latitude is made of synthetic rubber which specifies higher whipping efficiency than natural latex compounds.
Furthermore, this polymer is enhanced with graphite coatings which add the benefit of water adhesion and smear-free wipes.
What Frame type do they have?
As Rain X Weatherbeater is a conventional wiper, it has a multi-hinged, rigid frame made of galvanizing steel alloy. This metallic structure is quite strong and resists damage from wind and splash.
Besides that, the Galvanization of steel keeps the frame safe from rust for a long time.
However, its rigid and straight-line structure results in decreased wiping efficiency, and exposed metal is comparatively less corrosion resistive.
Moreover, dust, ice, and snow build-up can impair its metallic joints.
Conversely, Latitude specifies a curved spoiler and ranks higher with a beam wiper frame. Its aerodynamic shape results in a consistent blade-to-screen connection.
Moreover, it is virtually corrosion-free as its frame consists of a tough and completely cover spoiler.
Arm connector
Both wipers can be easily mounted on the windshield as their arm connectors are pre-installed and fixing them on hooks is just a matter of minutes.
Nevertheless, Rain X Weatherbeater stands below the competition as its metallic connector is exposed to rain and snow which makes it prone to rust and corrosion.
Moreover, this adaptor allows connection with relatively fewer hook types than the competitor.
On the other side, the arm connector of Rain X Latitude gets a higher score for durability, weather protection, and compatibility with more hook types.
Its outer cover protects the connection from snow and debris, preventing corrosion as metallic parts are not exposed to rainwater.
Plus, it also fits pinch tab and PTB wiper blade arms.
Latitude | Weatherbeater | |
Pre-installed connector | Yes | Yes |
Mounting type | Large J-Hook, (9×4 mm) Small J-Hook, (9×3 mm) Small Pin (3/12 side pin) Large pin (¼ side pin) | Large J-Hook, (9×4 mm) Small J-Hook, (9×3 mm) Small Pin (3/12 side pin) Large pin (¼ side pin) Pinch tab (I & L) Push tab (PTB) |
How fast do they remove water?
Rain X Weatherbeater shows a good ability to remove water from windshield glass but its proficiency is minimized due to less advanced rubber composition.
Plus, the lack of graphite coatings further reduces the ability of the blade to adhere to water droplets and results in less efficient wipes.
In contrast, Rain X Latitude takes the lead over its competitor due to its synthetic rubber polymer and enhancement particles.
Its rubber compound is synthesized specially to adhere to water drops and take them away from screen glass.
Moreover, graphite coatings over the rubber blade further increase its water adhesive properties.
Which has more wiping efficiency?
Rain X Latitude shows better wiping efficiency due to advanced design and composition. The aerodynamic spoiler maintains a consistent blade-to-screen contact and distributes the pressure evenly along the entire length of the blade.
It provides a smooth passage for the striking wind and gets pressed against the screen instead of lifting off.
The curved beam design especially suits modern cars whose windshield is also curved as the wiper blade automatically adjusts its curvature according to the screen, providing complete coverage.
In Contrast, Rain X Weatherbeater presents relatively lower wiping ability because there are only eight pressure points on the streamlined wiper edges connected with a multi-joint frame.
As pressure is inconsistent, streaks may be formed when the rubber strip is wiped on the screen. Additionally, its structure is rigid and does not adjust its shape with the curvature of the screen.
As a result, curved areas may remain unwiped. Moreover, the wiping ability of this blade is likely to decrease due to wind pressure causing lift-offs.
How these wipers perform in extreme temperatures?
Rain X Latitude shows better weather endurance than the competitor due to its completely covered design and improved rubber composition.
As no metallic part of its frame or wiping edge is exposed to air or rain, chances of rusting are effectively reduced.
Besides that, synthetic rubber polymer makes it resilient against damage from ozone and ensures wiping performance in extremely high or freezing temperatures.
Graphite coating on the rubber further enhances its weather resistance.
Aerodynamic design gives it an advantage when hard winds blow as it makes the wiper stick firmly to the screen instead of swinging and breaking off.
In Contrast, Rain X Weatherbeater presents a good performance in extreme environmental conditions, showing better efficiency than many traditional wipers due to its galvanized frame and tough rubber compound.
Nonetheless, its weather endurance is relatively minor than its contestant which is a beam-type blade.
Firstly, its natural rubber compound specifies less endurance to ozone, UV rays, and temperature extremes.
Secondly, its frame is more prone to weather damage because continuous exposure to rainwater or snow ultimately corrodes the galvanized layer and the metallic frame starts rusting.
Plus, its linear and rigid blade can be detached from the frame due to heavy winds, and the joints of the frame may get clogged by debris over time.
Durability and Warranty
Both wipers specify characteristic features to ensure durability and Rain X also back the performance of its wiper blades with a warranty for 90 days from the purchase date.
However, Latitude is likely to last longer than the competitor as it shows higher weather endurance, resisting rust and breakage.
In contrast, the conventional blade of Weatherbeater can wear off sooner because its rubber is less resilient and the frame is also more vulnerable to corrosion.